Richard Nixon is perhaps the most controversial 20th Century political figure in American history and his flawed "reign" seems to herald the modern era of deep distrust of leadership. This silk screen poster on cardboard was used in an anti-Vietnam war demonstration and is a brilliant example of political commentary. Its prescient commentary, draftsmanship and composition are superb. My compliments to its unknown creator.
Almost 40 years later, just change the person and it still seems relevant, when pulling strings behind the scenes affects the destiny of millions.
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Eve Lounge Poster - 1960's Redux7/2/2011 Perhaps it's in the air, but I saw this poster on the left on-line for Eve Lounge that is a perfect re-interpretation of the 1960's counter culture rock posters. We've been talking about 1960's retro design at Pine Street lately and have tried our hand at designing something in that vein. The poster above on the right is something I found in the garage from my 1960's school days. The letters are formed to take an object's shape and legibility is secondary. If the poster itself is compelling, then it encourages you to study it deeper to read the message. At the left is Chris' design for a T shirt. Thiebaud and Morandi6/30/2011 Museo Morandi in Bologna, Italy has a joint exhibit of two artistic heroes -- Northern California artist Wayne Thiebaud and Giorgio Morandi. Both studied simple still life objects for a lifetime. Although different at first glance, once examined you can see many similarities in their approach. According to the SF Chronicle article by art critic Kenneth Baker, Thiebaud was a fan of Morandi and owned several of his paintings. This exhibit closes in October and is scheduled to travel and come to the Bay Area. I will be looking for it! Hidden away on a side street in Bologna, the museum is located in an old apartment building and was Morandi's former home. Other residents still live in the gated courtyard building. Spot the small sign and ring the doorbell to gain entrance. Go up a narrow set of stairs and transition from the historical Bologna streets and buildings to a museum bright, modern, and a study in minimalist Italian architecture -- a wonderful transformation. I encourage you to visit if you can. Paragon Book Gallery - Chicago6/28/2011 Paragon Book Gallery at 1507 South Michigan Avenue just south of downtown Chicago is a paradise for Asian Art lovers. Hidden in a non-descript building with no storefront windows, you need to be buzzed into the store. Once inside it's like a warehouse filled with books on Asian Art and related topics. Slightly musty with the smell of old books, the ceiling is at least 14 feet high and the space is filled with rows of bookshelves filled with new and used books. Under various owners, the original 1942 store opened in Shanghai before moving to Manhattan in 1948 and finally landing in Chicago in 1991. Symbolism in Korean Ink Brush Painting Hard to find books can be found here and their on-line catalog is astounding. Each book coming into the store seems to be photographed and cataloged. You can search their catalog by country and then refine it by category. I spent an entire afternoon there drooling over books of every kind. If Asian Art interests you, then check out their web site and sign up for their email notifications of sales and new publications. Paragon Book Gallery has the most comprehensive source of Asian Art books I have ever seen. In the Realm of the Senses - 4 Handrails6/20/2011 Brera Museum Handrail - Milan, Italy Continuing my exploration of handrails, here is one at the Brera Museum in Milan. Filled with important renaissance masterpieces, it is probably the most important museum in Milan. This handrail bracket is fanciful and ornate in a good way. Lamentation Over the Dead Christ Andrea Mantegna 1480 My personal favorite painting in the Brera is the Lamentation over the Dead Christ by Andrea Mantegna c. 1480. It show a complete mastery of foreshortening, perspective, and emotion. A great masterpiece, it is only one of many in the museum. White Çhalk on Red Wall I came across this section of red wall on Folsom Street anonymously "decorated" with white chalk. It's structured yet lively and spontaneous. Funny how chalk continues to be used even though other drawing materials are more convenient and readily available. Stylish restaurants sometimes use chalk on blackboards to show the changing menu and perhaps to evoke simpler times and establish a happy mood. Most people have used chalk at some time in their lives -- probably as a child and for most those were happy times. You can't use chalk without being aware of its sensual and tactile qualities, the way it engages the surface and reveals textures, the sound of chalk grinding on the surface, the way it breaks if you press too hard, and the way it leaves powder on your hands so you know you have drawn. I try to think about architecture and how the design of things and materials can evoke feeling within ourselves. My first courses in architecture at UC Berkeley explored just these concepts and although it didn't seem "serious" at the time, those exercises still inform my work at Mock/Wallace. The Asian Art Museum San Francisco5/15/2011 Standing Buddha Korea Silla Dynasty Yesterday I accepted an invitation to enter the three year docent training program at the Asian Art Museum intensifying a life-long interest in Asian Art. I went for an interview on April 22nd. They interviewed candidates in groups of three using pre-set questions. Afterwards I went with one of the interviewers to the Korean Galleries to pick an object and give a "Mock" presentation. I gave a presentation on this Buddha trying to remember what I knew about the historic Buddha and Buddhism. Buddhists believe that life is just an illusion and the word illusion triggered a memory of the Jimmy Ruffin 1960's Motown hit with the lines -- Love's happiness is just an illusion, Filled with Sadness and Confusion -- I didn't mention that though. Training starts this fall.
Detail of Wayne Thiebaud Painting 2010 I just talked about Wayne Thiebaud and this morning I stopped at Vega Cafe again and spotted a new magazine, Artillery, and saw this quote by Wayne Thiebaud, "Paintings are visual miracles made by human beings like you and me." Like you and me? Wouldn't it be great if I could do what he can do with brushes and paint! I've seen other painters seem to try and do Thiebaud like colors of purple, orange, green and yellow where you never expect to see them. None challange this California master. "T" Bow5/2/2011 Paging through the May1, 2011 Sunday New York Times, I see an image of one of my favorite painters, Wayne Thiebaud (top image). He's well know for his 1960's food period when he painted desserts - especially cakes and pies. The top image looks like a print and perhaps was done as a study for the bottom image which is executed in oil (bottom image). Thiebaud lays the paint on -- thick and sensuous, colors -- bright and fresh. You can almost feel the cream oozing off the pie. Thiebaud's painting are worth millions now and at age 90 he is still painting. I once bought Chris a modest Thiebaud etching at the Paul Thiebaud Gallery in San Franciso. I think she liked it . Did I tell you that Chris (and now Katie) makes a terrific apple pie? AuthorCatagories
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